The Sanhedrin Called me an “Anti-Semite”

Note: After this was written, Breaking Israel News decided to take down the article with the slanderous comments. We are very grateful for this. However, it would seem that the rabbi quoted still has the same opinion of me, so we have decided to release this blog.

It is not every day that you get called out by the Sanhedrin, but that is exactly what happened to me last week. Despite making aliyah (moving to Israel), having my daughters serve in the Israeli Defense Service (one, risked her life, near the Gaza border during the 2014 war), raising funds for the poor and needy in Israel, living in Israel through several wars, writing books that call out the evils of the Crusades and Inquisition, and teaching against anti-Semitism across many nations, I was accused of being an anti-Semite. And, in no small way.

“Despite [Ron Cantor’s] Jewish origins, he is reenacting every anti-Semitic act ever perpetrated throughout history. This is no different than Torquemada demanding that Jews convert or die during the Spanish Inquisition. It is the classic Jew hatred expressed in the Protocol’s of the Elders of Zion, a vile fiction that claimed the Jews seek global dominance. This is a perversion of the Bible which gives us a leadership role in the world, but the Torah states that it is a role of service and sanctity.

“This is the role of Israel that Cantor rejects. Though Cantor claims he is showing love, it is not. It is hatred and an act of evil, It is to be despised and rejected.”

Rabbi Hillel Weiss, Spokesman for the Sanhedrin

In case you don’t know, Torquemada oversaw the Spanish Inquisition. He was responsible for the murdering of thousands of Jews and Muslims, and the expulsion and humiliation of many thousands more.

A Call to Violence?

Let’s be clear, “reenacting every anti-Semitic act ever perpetrated throughout history,” is no small feat. That would put me in the ranks of Haman and Hitler; Pharaoh and Farrakhan. So it would appear that the new Sanhedrin is modeling itself after the old Sanhedrin, which stoned the Messianic Jewish man, Stephen.

When the members of the Sanhedrinheard [Stephen], they were furious … At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Yeshua, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:54, 57-60)

Hopefully, this is just emotional rhetoric—and they won’t actually resort to violence. Nevertheless, such language can be taken as a cue for young zealots to commit violence against Messianic Jews. Comparing someone to Hitler or Torquemada could be seen as incitement in a court of law, not to mention defamation. Will this new Sanhedrin publicly denounce violence and acknowledge the crimes of their forefathers against Jewish believers—the first evangelicals?

Will their evangelical friends—my brothers—confront them on this issue?

Back Story

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article that was picked up by Charismanews.com. In it, I made the case that there is no such thing in end-time prophecy as an God-ordained resurrected Sanhedrin—despite the fact that several rabbis that have joined themselves together to call themselves the Sanhedrin—and to prepare for the building of the third temple. They have even named a new high priest.

I have to admit; it is a bit strange and a little intimidating to be called out publicly by this group. After all, as I mentioned, these are the same people who stoned Stephen to death. To be honest, I am not looking for a fight. I have no ill will against them.They are clearly zealous for God. I have not questioned their motives in seeking a third temple—and, in fact, it is right that they see Israel’s role to be a light for the nations.

A Bloody History

But why would they think that Ron hates his fellow Jews? Let me explain. In their eyes, there is no compatibility between believing in Yeshua and being Jewish. I am a traitor to Judaism. I have joined the ranks of the persecutors of Jews, from Constantine to the Inquisitions, from the Crusaders to even the Nazis.

If you have read either of my books, Identity Theftor the Jerusalem Secret, then you know that I explain in detail the guilt of the Roman church regarding forced conversions and baptisms—not to mention outright murder in the name of religion.

Did the Disciples Convert from Judaism?

Of course, no one even thought of accusing the first Jewish followers of Yeshua of converting to a new religion. They had found the Jewish Messiah! What could be more Jewish than that? I have never asked a Jewish person to leave Judaism—only to embrace the man I believe to be the One the prophets predicted would suffer and die (Is. 53) as a ransom for sin.

When Paul, a rabbi by training, embraced Yeshua, he believed that Yeshua was the Messiah. He did not become a Christian. The word did not exist. He became a follower of Yeshua the Messiah. In Acts 23:6, he still says he is part of the Pharisee sect. He saw no contradiction in being Jewish and believing that Yeshua died for the sins of Israel and the world. It would be about ten years before the disciples even knew that gentiles could believe in Yeshua without first becoming Jewish.

The Real Issue

The issue is not whether or not sharing the gospel with Jewish people is anti-Semitic, but whether or not Jesus is the Messiah. If He is not the Messiah, then we are deceived. But, if He is the Messiah, then we must share His message. Sharing that message could be nothing close to anti-Semitism, if He is the Jewish Messiah. And if He is not, how can the Sanhedrin seek close relations with the adherents of a false religion (as they seek favor with evangelicals)?

However, I do understand why this is a sensitive issue. The way so-called Christians have treated Jewish people throughout the centuries is not only unacceptable, it is horrendous! Tens of thousands of Jews—maybe more—have been killed in the name of Jesus. And that does not include Hitler who claimed to only be finishing what the Church had started. But Jesus never taught this. There are no passages where Yeshua encourages his followers to use coercion or threats of violence to build His kingdom. In fact, when Simon Peter pulled out a sword to protect Him, he rebuked Peter. These people who persecuted Jews were not Christians, but thugs and mercenaries—no different than Al Qaeda or ISIS.

My Jewish brethren fail to see that there is a massive difference between fake Christians who persecuted Jewish people under the goading of popes, and genuine believers in Yeshua who simply follow His example of love and spread His message of forgiveness of sins through His sacrifice. Again, Jesus never, ever told His followers to force people to accept Him or persecute His own brothers (the Jewish people—in fact, the sheep and goats prophecy seems to say He will judge the nations based on how they treated the “least of” His “brethren”—the Jewish people.). He never, ever taught His adherents to kill Jews who don’t follow Him. How could He? Every single person, save a few, that He spoke to was Jewish!

Despite the Sanhedrin’s friendship with evangelicals, they are deceived if they do not think that these very same evangelicals are not praying that they embrace Yeshua. It is one of the most sacred tenets of Christianity—spoken from a Jew to Jews, by the way! Matthew 28 and Mark 16 tell us to spread the message of Yeshua in all nations. Acts 1:8 tells us that we are to testify of Yeshua in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the nations. To not share the gospel with Jewish people is the worst kind of anti-Semitism and a repudiation of New Testament faith! And yet, the church must face its bloody past.

Am I really an Anti-Semite?

This is why I travel the world telling Christians about their history and calling them to repentance. At the time of this writing, I am in Nepal. I just taught 55 village pastors about the importance of loving, praying for and standing with Israel. They went home to declare to their congregations (numbering more than 4,000 believers) that from now on, they would pray for Israel every week.

Yet, I have been called a perpetrator of the worst kind of Jew-hatred. God forbid! If you want to know where I stand when it comes to Israel and Yeshua, look to the words of Paul.

I speak the truth in Messiah—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Messiah for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. (Romans 9:1-5)

Paul was willing to trade his own redemption for that of his brothers. You can call me a copher (heretic), fine. Say I am deceived, no problem. But calling me a Jew-hating, anti-Semite comparable to Torquemada is the exact opposite of what I am. Why would I even respond to this attack, knowing that it could invite violence upon me, if I did not love you? Who needs such threats hanging over their head? The easy thing for me to do—the self-preserving, unloving thing for me to do would be to shut my mouth. It is the love of Messiah that compels me to tell you about Yeshua.

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others...For Messiah’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. (1 Cor. 5:11, 14)

P.S. To my readers: Do not let any attack against me cause you to harbor bad feelings against those who attack. What an opportunity to show the true love of Messiah through prayer and good works! Let me encourage you to love and pray for these people. They are not my enemy.

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Shalom from Israel! I am Ron Cantor and this my blog. I am the GODTV Israel Regional Director host of the daily TV program, "Out of Zion". I also serve on the leadership team of a Hebrew-speaking, Spirit-filled congregation in Tel Aviv. We love Yeshua and we love Israel. Hope to see you here soon!